| Dear NR Friend, From time to time we share with you the good news of important, forthcoming books. Today I am happy to let you know about Kimberley Strassel's alarming new book-- The Intimidation Game: How the Left Is Silencing Free Speech--that chronicles the lengths some will go to muzzle their opposition. 
No, you won't find The Intimidation Game in stores yet (the publication date is June 21st). But you can and should make sure you order your copy now at Amazon or at Barnes & Noble. You know Kimberley as a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board and author of its acclaimed "Potomac Watch" column. Now you will know her as a fierce investigative journalist and analyst who provides a terrifying look at governmental intimidation and political bullying, including: How Citizens United set off a wave of harassment of conservative politicians and donors under the guise of "transparency" through disclosure laws. The story of the IRS's assault on some 298 conservative nonprofits, told through the eyes of those who were harassed and stalled. A look at Bob Bauer, the Obama campaign lawyer who successfully targeted pro-Clinton groups by calling for criminal investigations by the Justice Department, launching a new era of activist intimidation. How Wisconsin prosecutors and attorney generals in New York and California are abusing laws to shut down companies, citizen activists and scientists. The stories of citizens like Catherine Engelbrecht or Frank VanderSloot, whose political work lead to visits from the FBI, federal government audits, and personal abuse. The Obama Administration's politicization of government agencies, as told through former officials like Don McGahn and Brad Smith. Jane Mayer and the Left's exaggeration of the dark money problem in government (of the $7 billion in election spending, 96% of it is disclosed). How a Democratic Congress uses threats to shut down free-market groups, and how activists use social media to target and hound average citizens who engage in politics. The Intimidation Game is already getting excellent reviews. Publishers Weekly says "Strassel draws a timely, convincing, and alarming picture of liberal governance and a Democratic machine that's eager to bully resistant citizens." And Kirkus Reviews calls it "An eye-opening lesson in the law of unintended consequences: where a vast new disclosure regime intended to curb corruption has spawned a corruption all its own." Don't take my word for why you should get this important new book. But do listen to what some of our respected friends have to say: George Will : "Progressives' objective is to extend government's regulatory reach ever-deeper into society's dynamics. Strassel reveals how fast and how far this project has been expanded to include an especially sinister objective: Empowering government to control political campaign speech-speech about the government's composition and behavior. Her frightening reports come from many fronts in this war on America's open society. This book is a fire bell in a darkening night." Jonah Goldberg : "There have been a lot of good books of late decrying the increasingly repressive climate towards free speech. But none have connected the dots between the Obama White House, Congressional Democrats, and the spider web of 'grassroots' organizations the way Kim Strassel does in The Intimidation Game. It is required reading for those who want to know what's behind the supposedly spontaneous daily outrages we see every day." Stephen Hayes : "Public shaming encouraged by leading political figures. Pre-dawn police raids. Federal agencies targeting groups and individuals because of their political views. It's hard to believe these things are happening--and taking place with increasing frequency--in the United States. But they are. And in this searing indictment of the systematic attempt of the political left to shut down political debates they cannot win--Kimberly Strassel provides the often-horrifying details. The Intimidation Game is a shocking and assiduously well-reported chronicle of the illiberal tactics of the new progressives--and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand American politics today." Kimberley Strassel has done the Constitution and our liberties a great service with this book, which you will want to own, to read, and to share. Order (pre-publication) your copy of The Intimidation Game: How the Left Is Silencing Free Speech, now at Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
Best, Jack Fowler
Publisher
National Review | 
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